Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, Jeffrey Kitingan, has renewed calls for the introduction of a state-specific identification card, arguing that there are no legal barriers preventing its implementation.

Speaking in a recent interview, Kitingan said a Sabah IC would help the state regulate citizenship and immigration more effectively, while also distinguishing genuine Sabahans from others.

“I personally believe we should introduce the Sabah IC. There is nothing in the law stopping us from doing so,” he said.

“This would allow us to enforce native and immigration laws while also identifying and removing those who obtained citizenship through ‘Project IC’,” he added, referring to a controversial scheme in the 1970s that allegedly granted citizenship to immigrants to alter Sabah’s voter demographics.

Kitingan, a long-time advocate for greater autonomy in Sabah, said a special mechanism could be established to verify genuine Sabahans at the grassroots level.

Under his proposed system, officials would visit villages to register residents, collect biometric data, and issue identification cards granting access to state-specific resources.

“Villagers know who belongs in their community, and this should be verified by the native chief,” he said.

He added that digitalization could streamline the process, with a three-layer approval system in place to prevent abuse. – March 18, 2025